A client service representative is responsible for ensuring that the needs of an assigned client base are attended to. Various types of industries feature client service representative jobs. Individuals who take on the role of a client service rep are often the first and perhaps only point of contact that a client has with a company. It is vital that the individual in this type of role has the ability to listen to and relate to the client while also ensuring that the client's inquiries and concerns are addressed. Regardless of the industry, client service roles are typically performed in an office setting and require computer, phone, typing and troubleshooting skills.

Providing answers to a customer's inquiries is one of the primary job duties of a client service representative. He or she might work in a call center, a business office or a home office location. Those in lower-level positions take incoming calls from customers regarding account status, billing or minor technical issues. Those in mid-level positions might have an assigned customer base that consists of business users, and they might spend their day managing their client base's orders and troubleshooting any issues that arise. Communication might occur primarily through email and outbound telephone contact.

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A client service representative is an advocate for the customer. The position requires information to be provided to the customer regarding the product or service, as well as company policy when necessary. Presenting the customer with the best available options for his or her situation requires both listening and probing skills. Client service reps might also spend time walking a customer through basic troubleshooting steps. Troubleshooting involves asking questions to determine what the exact problem is and helping the customer with a variety of possible solutions.

Many industries feature service representative positions, including banking, telecommunications, human resources, retail, Internet marketing and payroll. Although the nature and technical depth of the information might vary, the nature of a client service representative position involves one-on-one interaction with a variety of personalities and navigating several computer databases simultaneously. Written documentation that details troubleshooting steps and communication milestones is a crucial job duty. Specific employers might have individual guidelines to which a service representative must adhere while performing the role's basic duties.

Discuss this Article

ZipLinePost 3

I like the idea of having one client service representative for each customer. I get so annoyed when I have to deal with a difference person every time I call a business and I have to explain my situation over and over again. It would be nice to speak to the same person who already knows me.

stoneMasonPost 2

@SteamLouis-- Technically, the client service representative ought to be working for the client's interests foremost. If he's not doing so, then he's not doing his job right. So I agree with you on that point.

If a company has representatives that give the wrong information or give advice that harms the customer, then that company or service is not going to have a positive image for long. Their sales will decline because many people, including myself, give importance to the customer service of a company in addition to their products and services.

SteamLouisPost 1

Finding a good client service representative is difficult. In my experience, they are either very good and helpful or not helpful at all. And except for certain situations, one usually doesn't get to choose.

The major problem I see is that because client service representatives are looking out for the interests of their company, they don't give advice that's in the best interests of the client. So let's say that a client is better off using one service than another, but the other option will get the company more money, the representative usually opts to do what's best for the company.

Of course, I expect a representative to serve the interest of the company he or she is working for. But it is possible to find a balance between the two. One can and should also look out for the client's interests.

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